3000 mile oil change is a myth!

[SVOboy]

Check it out at ABG:

This is what the State of California says. Or more exactly what the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) says. The fact is that most drivers (including myself) change their oil every 3,000 miles (or 5,000 km) even though many automakers now recommend service intervals of 5,000, 7,000 or even 10,000 miles for most modern cars.

Research by the CIWMB shows that nearly 3 out 4 Californians change their cars' oil before it is really needed. This generates millions of gallons of waste oil, a product which is potentially very polluting.

[WaxyChicken]

I've had scuttlebutt for 3 years, maybe a little more. (bought it for $750 from a junkyard)
the only time it got an oil change was when the oil pan gasket popped out. I went through 2 gallons of oil a week until i got around to popping it back in.
I've driven the car over 150,000 miles.

change oil after only a few thousand??? yeah, right. sure the normal joe does that.
( ^ insert sarcasm tone here.)

[Daox]

I change mine roughly every 5k.

[Lazarus]

Here's an interesting tibit.

In a survey conducted by Valvoline, sixty-percent of ASE certified Master Automobile technicians questioned said that a vehicle's oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Twenty-nine percent said between 3,000-5,000 miles is acceptable and just two percent voted that between 5,000-10,000 miles is okay

They are the ones that help keep it going.

In Europe the interval is over 10k.

There was a hypermiler on clean MPG that used Dino and oil samples to run over 10 k intervals with no problem.

[DifferentPointofView]

I think it really depends. In my mom's 07 Caliber, the intervals are said to be 3000 miles for the "drive in rough conditions" one, and 6000 for the "normal" driving conditions.

Most people don't realize that they fall into the normal one and go by the rough conditions intervals.

We both fall into the rough conditions interval. Really dusty roads, lots of unpaved roads, trips are generally 10 miles or less to school/work and back. and Etc. Etc.

When I see Europe, I don't think Hick town dirt/gravel roads and nasty air quality, and I think all paved roads. They fall under the regular category.

Most people don't go to the dino every few thousand miles and get an analysis done. they get it changed at the local lube place and head off. I sure don't, I buy the oil myself and change the stuff in my grandpa's driveway. Saves me lots on the labor, and makes me feel not lazy. Same with my tranny fluid and gear oil. It's all simple stuff.

[trebuchet03]

Hell... I run 10K+ oil change intervals.... Ha! Just get your oil analyzed - you'll spend a tiny bit less money than changing your oil every 3K miles and you won't be wasting the resource

Changing your oil too often causes more wear anyway by disturbing oil films.

[cfg83]

Hello -

But I have the classic Saturn problem of burning oil, up to a quart every 3K miles. Are you saying I should just keep topping it off until 5K?

I did notice the EZ-Lube started increasing its return mileage to 5K miles, at least for synthetic.

CarloSW2

[jazzie604]

under perfect conditions, I would agree that most cars can extend their oil change intervals. the average car with higher mileage burns oil, contaminates oil with blow by, and cooks it due to poor driving habits. The members on this board are so gentle on their engine, that I fully expect you guys to get better life, but the average idiot doesnt. my car certainly needs oil before 4-5k miles.

[Blackbird]

Your car also cools the turbo down from it's ultra high temps using the same oil that your motor uses, it sees far higher temps than most normal motors.
But, if you use the synthetic Mobil1 that is recommended by Mitsubishi (which s fantastic) you should be able to hold a good 5K between changes.
That is unless, of course, you take your Evo to track days and such...

Moti

[DifferentPointofView]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

Hell... I run 10K+ oil change intervals.... Ha! Just get your oil analyzed - you'll spend a tiny bit less money than changing your oil every 3K miles and you won't be wasting the resource

Changing your oil too often causes more wear anyway by disturbing oil films.

Tiny less as in going to a shop? I change my oil in a driveway. I also Have to use 6 QUARTS OF FREAKING OIL!!! I use synthetic, which is expensive having to buy a big jug and an extra quart.

Also, what happens if the oil needs changed? then you have to spend more money...